Hazel Dyer, a member of the board of directors of L.L. Bean Inc. for 30 years, died Wednesday. She was 94.

Mrs. Dyer, known by most people as June, was an accomplished seamstress and cook, who owned Dyer’s Floral Shop and Landscape Nursery in Rockport for 18 years. She leaves her two daughters, Diana Bean of Ogunquit, and Linda Bean of Freeport and St. George, owner of Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster.

She was remembered by her family this week as a self-made woman who worked hard her whole life and embraced her passions for sewing, cooking and family.

She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1937. Soon thereafter, she was accepted into the catalog label typing pool at L.L. Bean. There, she met her first husband, Charles Warren Bean, son of the founder of Leon Leonwood Bean. They were married in 1940 and raised two children.

Linda Bean reminisced about her early years Friday, recalling a quiet and gentle woman who left a big impression on the children. Bean said her mother was a skilled seamstress who had a passion for designing dresses and making clothes. Bean said she could also knit, hook rugs and paint.

“She had spunk. She always had spunk. She looked forward to creating things,” Bean said, noting that her mother taught her how to cook.

Mrs. Dyer is the inspiration behind a breakfast dish at Bean’s restaurant Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern across from L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport. The house specialty, Eggs a la Golden Rod, features two chopped hard boiled eggs in white sauce over buttered toast – the same way Mrs. Dyer prepared it in the 1940s. Bean said her mother inspired and supported her throughout her life.

“She was a businesswoman. She was a hard worker. She had a very good work ethic. I think I caught some of that,” Bean said. “She was always encouraging us to do our best and keep moving forward.”

She was a loving wife to her second husband, Reuben Dyer, of Freeport. The couple owned and operated Dyer’s Floral Shop and Landscape Nursery in Rockport from 1965 to 1983.

Bean said her mother was a hands-on owner who took great pride in running the business.

“She had a great love of flowers,” Bean said. “She made many friendships there.”

A hallmark Mrs. Dyer’s life was serving on the board of directors for L.L. Bean for 30 years. She joined the board in 1982 and stepped down in May of 2012. Bean said her mother was proud of her service on the board.

“She always looked forward to meetings,” Bean said. “Being a voting board member was an important part of those times in her life.”

In her retirement years, she enjoyed being home. She also summered in Ogunquit for many years.

Mrs. Dyer had become ill in recent years. Bean said she will miss her presence.

“I woke up this morning and thought … I’m going to go over and see her and then I remembered,” Bean said. “She was still giving me advice last week. I laugh. I’m 73. She’s always been my mom. I’ll always be her daughter.”

Mrs. Dyer’s full obituary will be published in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Her funeral arrangements are being handled by Brackett Funeral Home in Brunswick.

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